Shoulder Pain
Conditions
Brief summary
This study compares the performance and 3-dimensional shoulder kinematics between sides in unilateral overhead-throwers (volleyball attackers), bilateral overhead athletes (swimmers) and non-athletes during two physical performance measures of the upper extremity, one in an open kinetic chain position (unilateral seated shot put test) and the other in a closed kinetic chain position (upper quarter Y balance test)
Detailed description
3-dimensional shoulder kinematics (e.g., scapular angular position/displacement) at key events of each test will be described and compared across sides and groups. For the unilateral seated shot put test, the events are based on humeral motion: a) initiation of humeral motion, b) maximal humeral flexion, c) end of humeral motion. For the upper quarter Y balance test the events are the a) initiation of free hand motion on GO, b) maximal reach on the medial direction, c) maximal reach on superolateral direction, and d) maximal reach on the inferolateral direction (kinematics measured on the stance upper extremity). The best of 3 maximal-effort trials on each side will be used for analysis. Warm-up exercises and two submaximal practice trials will be performed for preparation for maximal efforts and familiarization with the tests. A rest period of at least one minute between trials will be given to guarantee good physiological conditions to maximally perform. Further resting time will be allowed, if necessary, upon request of the participant.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALChronic exposure to unilateral overhead sports activity
Overhead sports athletes that have been chronically exposed (≥ 2 years) predominantly to specific unilateral overhead movement patterns of the dominant extremity (throwing arm), such as throwing or hitting a ball (asymmetrical overhead sports).
BEHAVIORALChronic exposure to bilateral overhead sports activity
Overhead sports athletes that have been chronically exposed (≥ 2 years) predominantly to bilateral overhead movement patterns of the upper extremities, such as swimmers (symmetrical overhead sports).
BEHAVIORALNot exposed
People not engaged in regular sports competition/exercise training.
Sponsors
University of Lisbon
Instituto Politécnico de Leiria
Universidade do Porto
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Perform at least 150 degrees of arm elevation
Exclusion criteria
* history of shoulder dislocation * surgery in the upper extremity ≥ 6 months * injury in the past month * evident abnormalities in posture and movement of the upper body quadrant * pain at the time of testing
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Side-to-side differences in the unilateral seated shot put test (normalized distance thrown, in centimeters) | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | The unilateral seated shot put test consists of pushing (not throwing) at shoulder height a \ 3kg medicine ball as far and forward as possible while keeping the axial skeleton in contact with a wall, knees bent at a right angle, feet flat on the floor, and the non-testing arm resting on the lap. |
| Side-to-side differences in the upper quarter Y balance test (normalized maximal distance reached in each direction, in centimeters) | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | The upper quarter Y balance test is performed through the assistance of a testing device (Y-Balance Test Kit), with the subject stabilizing his/her body weight with the upper extremity being tested while performing maximal reaching efforts with the free hand in three directions: medial, superolateral, and inferolateral. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Side-to-side differences in 3-dimensional thoracic angular displacement (in degrees) | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | The angular displacement of the thorax in the 3 planes of orientation: flexion/extension, lateral rotation (inclination), axial rotation. |
| Side-to-side differences in 3-dimensional scapular angular displacement (in degrees) | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | The angular displacement of the scapula in the 3 planes of orientation: lateral/medial (upward/downward) rotation, protraction/retraction (internal/external rotation), anterior/posterior tilting. |
| Side-to-side differences in the upper quarter Y balance test (overall performance score, in centimeters) | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | overall performance or composite score = average score of the 3 normalized reach distances, in centimeters. |
| Side-to-side differences in the upper quarter Y balance test (total excursion, in centimeters) | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | total excursion = sum of the 3 normalized reach distances, in centimeters |
| Side-to-side differences in 3-dimensional humerus angular displacement (in degrees) | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | The angular displacement of the humerus in the 3 planes of orientation: plane of elevation, elevation/depression, axial rotation. |
Countries
Portugal
Outcome results
None listed